NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: Despite late decommits, USC football class looks to be among best in nation

USC's recruiting class will likely end up with more five-star players than any team in the country by the end of today, but that did little to calm Trojans fans Tuesday stung by three decommitments.

Five-star cornerback Jalen Ramsey switched from USC to Florida State, defensive end Jason Hatcher spurned the Trojans for Kentucky, and it appeared that defensive end Torrodney Prevot would sign with Texas A&M.

"There has been a lot of shakeups and pretty much the worst-case scenario with the guys who decommited," said Adam Gorney, West Coast recruiting analyst for Rivals.com.

"There were three guys who could have stayed with USC and left."

A fourth loss occurred Tuesday when defensive end Kylie Fitts of Redlands committed to UCLA. Fitts was supposed to enroll at USC in January but when the Trojans took safety Leon McQuay instead, it could not offer Fitts an early scholarship.

Although there is no single reason for the decommitments, the fallout from the Trojans' 7-6 season appears to be a culprit. Not only was the season subpar, it also hurt that coach Lane Kiffin's status a year from now is uncertain.

"A lot of people have talked about how the season did not go well and if next year did not go well, Lane Kiffin could be on the chopping block," Gorney said.

The mystery today is whether offensive lineman Nico Falah of St. John Bosco in Bellflower will honor his commitment or sign with Washington. The other big decision is whether five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, who decommited from USC in December, will sign with UCLA, Notre Dame or Alabama - or give the Trojans another chance.

"Falah has not decommited yet," Gorney said. "Washington is offering early playing time and that has convinced him they are a factor."

USC scrambled Tuesday following the decommitments and offered cornerback Jermaine Kelly of Salesian, who is expected to sign with Washington. The Trojans also contacted safety Priest Willis, who is committed to UCLA.

Willis will not sign a letter-of-intent today because his parents are out of town. He is also considering LSU. If Willis does not go to USC, Gorney said another UCLA commit, safety Tahaan Goodman, might wait and sign with USC.

"I would say they are concerned about getting more guys," Gorney said.

The Trojans' recruiting class is currently ranked No. 10 by Rivals. Even with the late defections, Gorney said the class is special in terms of quality.

"USC lost three five-stars (Ramsey, safety Max Redfield, Vanderdoes), which is as many as any other team has in the country," Gorney said.

"But it still has five five-star players, which is more than any team."

Many of the top players, such as safeties Su'a Cravens and McQuay, defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow and quarterback Max Browne, are already enrolled and attending classes at USC.